Boost / Drive on the Pedalboard

[HolmeBass]

OP I go pre-DI. How much of a boost is it? Like 3 to 6 dB? Should be fine.

More than that, especially like +10 dB or more, I would absolutely let the SE know and turn it on during sound check.

Heck, no matter what, just turn it on during sound check. Even with only 30 seconds to check you can turn it on after 20 secs to see if the SE even notices.

 

[Dust2Dust]

put the Boost after the DI send, only boosting the back line amp.

Before you said this I would have gone with that . . .for the very reason/ concern that you had when posting this in the first place

Many thanks to all for the replies.

I’m going to give the pre-DI a shot and see how it goes. Do my best to give the SE a heads up.

 

[bucephylus]

Thanks for the posts from all perspectives. Interesting to note that we are not all on the same page for this particular topic.

 

[s0c9]

Yes they mentions solo/break spots in the OP.

mmm yeah..

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks for the posts from all perspectives. Interesting to note that we are not all on the same page for this particular topic.

I'd do a PFL adjustment with your boost in-place (OD / drive before the DI) so we're not torturing the gain (clipping, distortion). We can tolerate under-saturating (...to an extent) the mic channel otherwise and making some compensatory adjustments on your slider. Not ideal but is the sound-guy really going to jump into action when that solo comes around? BTW, that's mighty considerate to address what can potentially be an issue...no surprises!

Riis

 

[Zbysek]

I place boost before the DI send. I start he sound check with the boosted tone.

IME, sound techs usually start the sound check with setting the gain control on the mixer. It makes their job easier if they get the strongest signal the player will be using during the gig at this stage.

Btw: if I were doing solos, I would get the Trickfish Signal Filter. I would use the HPF footswitch with gain raised for solos, and the LPF for other parts...

Signal Filter – TRICKFISH AMPLIFICATION

www.trickfishamps.com

 

[4Mal]

Boost before the DI. TELL the engineer about it though... Give him the normal signal. The give him the solo volume...
It really shouldn't be too much boost... When I do similar, I tend to boost a little but also thin out my sound a bit. Think Jaco 'burpy' bridge J sound. That cuts through in a solo scenario in a way I prefer to volume boost... My normal tone is pretty thick...

I do use a boost a lot but... I use it to balance my rather low output EUB with my normal EB.

When I solo, it's one of two situations. The first is the typical band drops out except for drums. He pulls back a little and gives me space. I tend to pick closer to the bridge for the extra definition then and don't need a ton of extra volume there. The second is playing a melodic line over an outro. That's where volume and the thinning come into play for me. I have an HX Stomp foot for that.

 

[bucephylus]

Thanks again for the input. Much appreciated.

So, here is the board I cobbled together. It’s Plugless, to keep things simple.

You may notice that the gain on the Spark is only on about 20%. It’s a good pedal, but WAAY too much gain for my purposes.

I’ll get back with boots on ground experience later in the year after I’ve used it on a few different stages.